PHPA 3708 - Health Equity Approaches to Support Maryland’s LGBTQ+ Youth and Young Adult Communities in Living Tobacco- and Cannabis-Free

The Maryland Department of Health's Center for Tobacco Prevention and Control is soliciting via competitive RFA a single organization to support LGBTQ+ youth and young adult communities in living tobacco- and cannabis-free, with applications due January 21, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. EST via eMaryland Marketplace (eMMA).

Eligibility is restricted to Maryland-based 501(c)(3) nonprofits, local or state government agencies, public colleges, or state universities. Applicants must be registered on eMMA, maintain a physical location in Maryland, provide proof of tax-exempt status, submit conflict-of-interest affidavits prohibiting work for tobacco or cannabis industries, and furnish at least two letters of intent from Maryland community organizations serving LGBTQ+ populations. An indirect cost cap of 7% of direct costs applies.

The scope encompasses conducting a needs assessment; developing evidence-based prevention and cessation tools tailored to LGBTQ+ communities; establishing a partnership network of at least five community organizations representing all five Maryland regions (western, capital, central, southern, and eastern shore); building capacity with funded partners; identifying accessible tobacco cessation services; and providing technical assistance to CTPC and local health department staff. Beginning in Year 2, at least 20% of the annual budget must be allocated to fund community partners through sub-awards, consulting agreements, or purchase orders. Applicants may focus on defined sub-populations (such as Black LGBTQ+ youth) provided developed tools remain accessible to the broader LGBTQ+ community statewide.

The contract is a five-year firm fixed-price award running July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2031, at a maximum of $200,000 per fiscal year, totaling $1 million over the term. Future-year awards are contingent on funding availability and successful performance. Evaluation criteria include general requirements, project description, work plan, organizational capacity, sustainability approach, monitoring and evaluation plans, reporting capability, and meeting participation requirements, weighted equally between technical and financial factors. Questions are due January 14, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. EST. A pre-application conference was held December 22, 2025. Bi-weekly meetings with the CTPC Grant Monitor and quarterly, annual, and final reporting are required.